Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written more books than I can count (well over 50), but I’ve only brought three full novels and three novellas to the market at this time.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Vow That Twisted Fate is my most recently published novel (a NA -new adult- epic fantasy). I actually had a dream about a key scene that is now in the middle of the book. A young queen of a world without evil finds herself in a parallel dimension that is only evil, facing off against a legendary sorceress. That inspiration became the basis of the book, which I then wrote for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in 2016.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am a pantser (I don’t outline/plot my work in advance), despite being a developmental editor. I go behind my writing in draft 2 to make sure that all my “beats” (plot points) are in the right places. I also prefer to do all of my writing for the whole year during NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) as a binge-writer, so that I can focus on editing/revising the rest of the year.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” series is what swept me up into loving epic fantasy. However, it was Amelia Atwater-Rhodes and her books “Hawksong” and “Snakecharm” that showed me that a woman could be just as epic a writer, and inspired me to put stories I love down on paper.
Connecting with amazing indie authors from around the world, I have also been inspired by Andrei Saygo (“The Squeamish Vampire”), Luke Courtney (“From The Ashes”), and Nicole Wells (“The Five Elements Series”) not only by the quality of their books but also the genuine and warm way they interact with their readers. They have helped inspire me to be a humble, genuine, and thankful author.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on two projects. One is a full-length fantasy romance for a box set called Realm of Darkness, which is made up of 40 full-length Paranormal Romance and Fantasy Romance books by award-winning and bestselling authors.
The other is my first Hybrid-published book I have signed with my small press, Starry Ink Press. That book is titled “Starfire Express: A Flame of Fae and Fang” and is a NA (new adult) Portal/Adventure Fantasy with a side of romance.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I personally have found Instagram to be the primary platform where my readers (and other fantasy authors) engage the most, so I prefer to promote my books organically through Instagram.
For paid promotions, I have seen the most ‘bang’ for my buck with BargainBooksy.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be kind to yourself the way you would be kind to others. Writing is an art, so you only get better by actually writing. Give yourself permission to not be perfect right away, and detach yourself from your work enough to take developmental (content) criticism in a constructive way.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
That in the beginning, you can write to make money, or you can write for passion. Only the lucky few get to do both from the start. One day, you may be established enough from money-making novels that your publisher will allow you to publish your passion projects (if you choose to write for money). On the other hand, your passion projects may be good enough to make you money one day. But ultimately, this advice from my mom has held true for my own writing experience. I edit to pay my bills, and I write for the joy of it.
What are you reading now?
I am currently reading -and loving- “Realm” (a portal fantasy) by Jessica Cantwell.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Survive the drafting process of the two novels I have coming out next year. NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is coming up in November, and I plan to draft both books during NaNo, plus two novellas for my Splitting Worlds series.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“How to Survive on a Deserted Island” by Tim O’Shea, “The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook” by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht, and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy plus “The Hobbit” by Tolkien, to keep from breaking my annual re-read record and give me inspiration/entertainment.
Author Websites and Profiles
Katherine D. Graham Website
Katherine D. Graham Amazon Profile
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